Cape County commissioners hear report on 4-H, discuss funding

4-H youth development programs were Monday's topic during a regular meeting of Cape Girardeau County commissioners.

The University of Missouri Extension's 4-H youth specialist, Donna Taake, updated commissioners on growth of 4-H programs in the county and the effects of the programs on participants.

The county provides the University of Missouri Extension with $120,000 in funding annually, said Commissioner Paul Koeper.

There are 16 4-H clubs in the county, including one in Cape Girardeau and one in Jackson. The rest are spread throughout smaller communities, Taake said. Three of the clubs were formed within the past year and the number of participants has grown in recent years to 275 members between the ages of 5 and 18. The number of volunteers serving the clubs is 176.

Taake said the clubs offer various activities that promote community service, citizenship, leadership and life skills. Taake shared results of a national 4-H survey that showed the club's participants make better grades, are more likely to go to college and are more likely to graduate college than comparable participants in other out-of-school programs.

"That really tells you what you are gaining for your investment in 4-H," Taake told commissioners.

4-H programs are not coordinated with schools but are community-based.

A second item on the agenda, which was to include information on a suspension classroom at the county juvenile detention center from chief juvenile officer Randy Rhodes, will be rescheduled at a later date.

The commission will not meet Thursday due to the commissioners' planned attendance today through Thursday at an annual county commissioners training session in Jefferson City, Mo.

eragan@semissourian.com

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